Craig Wilkinson and Melissa Stimmler, both of North Liberty, enjoy lunch at Sushiya in North Liberty on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. David Scrivner / Iowa City-Press Citizen (Photo: David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen)

"In my country, they have a lot of channels from Japan they cook in, kind of like the 'Iron Chef,' " he said. "So I watched TV all the time. A lot of my family members are chefs, so when I was young, I knew some skills from cooking."

Cooking was a hobby for Chia until one day he quit his job and moved to a large city to master Japanese cooking. Years later — and now a well-trained sushi chef — Chia and his wife, Li Chiou, have opened a new sushi house in North Liberty: Sushiya at 745 Community Drive.

Chiou said Chia's talent as a sushi chef sets him apart from the rest.

"He learned all his skills from a very good chef in Taiwan and he has more than 15 years of experience," she said. "I think that's the part: his skill."

Though a chef for the last 15 years, Chia spent his first seven years as an apprentice and has worked in Taiwan, New York, Illinois, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Chia, Chiou and other family members started a restaurant called Sushi House in Cedar Rapids seven years ago.

"It's still running," she said. "We left because we wanted to be close to family in Iowa City. We live in Iowa City."

Sushiya, an Asian-fusion restaurant, offers other dishes based on the continent's cuisine, but the menu will be focused on sushi.

"We want people to know why we start with the idea to start Sushiya," Chiou said. "We want people to learn about Japanese food and to have a correct idea. We offer other Asian food. It's not just raw food because I think that a lot of people have the wrong impression that Japanese food is raw. That's wrong. Japanese food contains a lot of cooked food."

That's why the couple began a detailed question and answer series on their Facebook page.

"We hope we will educate people to know Japanese food," Chiou said. "Japanese food is actually healthy and not be afraid of raw food. And to have a more open mind to accept Asian food and to really be able to enjoy the food from a skilled chef."

One important feature at the new restaurant is its sushi bar.

"We use a special sushi case in this restaurant," Chiou said. "Most of the sushi sits in the case. And ours is kind of flat. You are unable to see anything until you stand up."

Chefs and customers are placed closer together in traditional Japanese sushi restaurants — allowing customers a more intimate relationship with the chef and his art form.

"That case has been used in big cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York," she said. "When we started, the health department of Johnson County would not let us because they had other concerns and haven't see the case before. So we explained and we redesigned and then they agreed."

Chiou said Sushiya probably is the first the restaurant to use this case in the area.

Sushiya employs three sushi chefs, including Chia, two kitchen chefs, and two or three wait staff.

Chia said he lives to please his customers.

"I had customers at the Cedar Rapids Sushi House," he said. "When I told them I was leaving, they were not happy. They were upset. ... I think I have to make good food for my friends, for the future customer. I'm very happy they like my food."

If you go

• What: Sushiya.

• When: Open for lunch and dinner. The grand opening date is not yet decided.